Paris Prosecutor May Announce Next Step in John Galliano's Case Today; His Eponymous Label To Show As Usual

Paris Prosecutor May Announce Next Step in John Galliano's Case Today; His Eponymous Label To Show As Usual

>> Yesterday, John Galliano spent more than five hours at a Paris police station, where he met face to face with the couple who accused him of verbally attacking them last Thursday evening. Upon arrival, Galliano, who wore a large-brimmed black hat over his trademark bandanna, was mobbed by cameramen and photographers — see video here. His lawyer, Stephane Zerbib, says that Galliano is "in great shape" and "firmly and formally" denies making racist or anti-Semitic remarks in the case of both complaints filed against him. Zerbib added that despite yesterday's video release, Galliano "never made an anti-Semitic remark in more than ten years at Dior."

The hearing was closed to the public, but a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity says: "[Galliano] denied all the accusations against him." Galliano's chauffeur and an employee of La Perle, where the alleged insults took place last Thursday, both testified that they didn't hear any anti-Semitic or racist remarks. The filer of the second complaint against Galliano, a 47-year-old woman who claimed she was insulted in a similar fashion four months ago, also spoke at the hearing. Zerbib was dismissive of her: "We're surprised by this new complaint which exactly resembles the first ones. It's not by chance. It's surprising that this person had not shown herself since October."

Making anti-Semitic remarks is illegal in France and can bring up to six months in prison; yesterday's hearing was held in part to determine whether the state will press charges against Galliano. The Paris prosecutor's office is expected to decide what the next step might be — possibly today. According to a person close to the matter, Dior is waiting for the police investigation to conclude before it makes any definitive decision about Galliano's future at the brand. It is, however, trying to verify the authenticity of yesterday's video, and if authenticated, the maison will have "little option" but to dismiss Galliano.

A spokesperson for Galliano's eponymous label, meanwhile, said this morning that the show will go on this Sunday during Paris Fashion Week. He was not able to confirm whether Galliano would be present, but maintained that the team was organizing the show as normal.